New guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Dongipetorsta 21’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Dongipetorsta 21’ characterized by its upright to outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely and early flowering habit; medium-sized orangish red and pale purplish pink bi-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Impatiens hawkeri.

Cultivar denomination: ‘DONGIPETORSTA 21’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR & APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant on Oct. 29, 2020, application number2020/2730. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

The Inventor and Applicant assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/orApplicant. Inventor and Applicant claim a prior art exception under 35U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing datebut less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of NewGuinea Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens hawkeri andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Dongipetorsta 21’.

The new Impatiens plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Koka, Ethiopia and Encinitas, Calif. Theobjective of the breeding program is to create new freely-branching,early and freely flowering New Guinea Impatiens plants with largeattractive flowers and good garden performance.

The new Impatiens plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in November, 2016 in Koka, Ethiopia of a proprietary selectionof Impatiens hawkeri identified as code number NN14-516311-006, notpatented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection ofImpatiens hawkeri identified as code number NN12-002628-003, notpatented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Impatiens plant wasdiscovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant fromwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse environment in Encinitas, Calif. in April, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Impatiens plant by terminal vegetativecuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Encinitas, Calif.since June, 2017 has shown that the unique features of this newImpatiens plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Impatiens have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature, daylight and light intensity without, however, anyvariance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Dongipetorsta 21’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘Dongipetorsta 21’ as a newand distinct Impatiens plant:

-   -   1. Upright to outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely branching habit.    -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   5. Freely and early flowering habit.    -   6. Medium-sized orangish red and pale purplish pink bi-colored        flowers.    -   7. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Impatiens can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Impatiens differ primarily fromplants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Impatiens are more outwardly spreading and        mounding than and not as upright as plants of the female parent        selection.    -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Impatiens are orangish red and        pale purplish pink bi-colored whereas flowers of plants of the        female parent selection are bright red and light        pink-bi-colored.

Plants of the new Impatiens can be compared to plants of the male parentselection. Plants of the new Impatiens differ primarily from plants ofthe male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Impatiens are not as vigorous as plants of        the male parent selection.    -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Impatiens are flatter than and        not as cupped as flowers of plants of the male parent selection.    -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Impatiens are orangish red and        pale purplish pink bi-colored whereas flowers of plants of the        male parent selection are bright red and light pink-bi-colored.

Plants of the new Impatiens can be compared to plants of Impatienshawkeri ‘Duepetrest’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,375. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Impatiens differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Duepetrest’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Impatiens are more vigorous than plants of        ‘Duepetrest’.    -   2. Plants of the new Impatiens have larger flowers than plants        of ‘Duepetrest’.    -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Impatiens are orangish red and        pale purplish pink bi-colored whereas flowers of plants of        ‘Duepetrest’ are soft red and light lavender bi-colored.

Plants of the new Impatiens can also be compared to plants of Impatienshawkeri ‘Tamar Purple Bicolor’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,462.In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Impatiens differprimarily from plants of ‘Tamar Purple Bicolor’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Impatiens flower about one week earlier        than plants of ‘Tamar Purple Bicolor’.    -   2. Plants of the new Impatiens flower have slightly smaller        flowers than plants of ‘Tamar Purple Bicolor’.    -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Impatiens are orangish red and        pale purplish pink bi-colored whereas flowers of plants of        ‘Tamar Purple Bicolor’ are red purple in color with a darker        central band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Impatiens plant showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Impatiens plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical flowering plant of ‘Dongipetorsta 21’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view oftypical flowers of ‘Dongipetorsta 21’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants grown during the summer and autumn in winterand early spring in 16.5-cm containers in a polyethylene-coveredgreenhouse in Encinitas, Calif. and under cultural practices typical ofcommercial New Guinea Impatiens production. During the production of theplants, day temperatures averaged 25° C., night temperatures averaged18° C. and light levels ranged from 4,000 to 4,500 lux. Plants were 13weeks old when the photographs were taken and 17 weeks old when thedescription was taken. In the following description, color referencesare made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition,except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Impatiens hawkeri ‘Dongipetorsta 21’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Impatiens            hawkeri identified as code number NN14-516311-006, not            patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Impatiens            hawkeri identified as code number NN12-002628-003, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By terminal vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About five to            seven days at temperatures about 27° C. and night            temperatures about 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and            winter.—About three weeks at day temperatures about 27° C.            and night temperatures about 20° C.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically white in color,            actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright to outwardly spreading and            mounding plant habit; broad inverted triangle in overall            shape; freely branching habit with lateral branches            potentially developing at every node; moderately vigorous to            vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height.—About 27 cm.        -   Plant diameter.—About 52 cm.-   Lateral branch description:    -   -   Length.—About 22 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Internode length.—About 5.75 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong, stout; flexible.        -   Aspect.—Initially upright to outwardly spreading to almost            horizontal.        -   Texture and luster.—Smooth, glabrous; glossy.        -   Color, developing.—Close to 148A heavily overlain with close            to 187A.        -   Color, fully developed.—Close to 187A to 187B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Typically in whorls; simple.        -   Length.—About 10 cm.        -   Width.—About 4.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate to elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrate with ciliation.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            semi-glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate; arcuate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: More green than            147A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 187B. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Darker green than 147A;            midvein, close to 187B and lateral venation, darker green            than 147A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to            187A to 187B; venation, close to 187A to 187B.        -   Petiole length.—About 5 cm.        -   Petiole diameter.—About 4 mm.        -   Petiole texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous; glossy.        -   Petiole color, upper surface.—Close to 187B to 187C.        -   Petiole color, lower surface.—Close to 187B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and flowering habit.—Single, medium-sized and            rounded rectangular axillary flowers; freely flowering            habit, typically about seven to nine open flowers and flower            buds per lateral branch; flowers positioned above and beyond            the foliar plane, flowers typically face mostly upright to            outwardly.        -   Flower longevity.—Flowers typically last about four to seven            days on the plant under greenhouse conditions; petals            self-cleaning, gynoecium persistent.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—Year-round under greenhouse            conditions; in the garden, flowering from spring until fall            in California; early flowering habit, plants typically begin            flowering about ten weeks after planting.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 1.3 cm. Diameter: About 1 cm.            Shape: Ovoid. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy.            Color: Petals, close to 46A; sepals, close to 148A variably            overlain with close to 187A to 187B.        -   Flower diameter.—About 5 cm by 6 cm.        -   Flower depth.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five per flower in a            single whorl. Length, banner petal: About 3 cm. Length,            lateral petals: About 2.7 cm. Length, lower petals: About            2.75 cm. Width, banner petal: About 3.75 cm. Width, lateral            petals: About 3.25 cm. Width, lower petals: About 3.4 cm.            Shape, banner petal: Broadly cordate. Shape, lateral and            lower petals: Cordate to broadly cordate. Apex, all petals:            Cordate. Base, all petals: Cuneate. Margin, all petals:            Mostly entire with occasional and random indentations.            Texture and luster, all petals, upper surface: Smooth,            glabrous; velvety; matte; iridescent. Texture and luster,            all petals, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; matte;            iridescent. Color, all petals: When opening and fully            opened, upper surface: Centers, close to 44A; towards the            margins, close to 55C to 55D; venation, similar to lamina;            color does not change with development. When opening and            fully opened, lower surface: Centers, close to 44C to 44D;            towards the margins, close to 44D; venation, similar to            lamina; color does not change with development.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three in a single whorl;            one modified into an elongated spur. Lateral sepal length:            About 1 cm. Lateral sepal width: About 4 mm. Spur sepal            length: About 1.4 cm. Spur sepal width: About 1 cm. Sepal            shape: Elongated deltoid. Sepal apex: Cuspidate. Sepal base:            Truncate. Sepal margin: Entire. Sepal texture and luster,            upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Sepal            texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;            semi-glossy. Lateral sepal color, upper surface: Close to            157A to 157B. Lateral sepal color, lower surface: Close to            178A to 178B. Spur sepal color, upper surface: Close to 56A.            Spur sepal color, lower surface: Close to 55B. Spur length:            About 3.25 cm. Spur diameter: At flower, about 2.5 mm; at            apex, less than 1 mm. Spur texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; somewhat glossy. Spur color: Close to 55B;            distally, close to 145A to 145B.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 4.75 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm.            Angle: About 45° from stem axis. Strength: Strong; flexible.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color:            Close to 146C.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity: Five fused at            anthers; filaments free. Anther size: About 4 mm by 1 mm.            Anther shape: Oblong. Anther color: Close to 11D. Pollen            amount: If present, scarce. Pollen color: Close to 11D.            Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About            4 mm. Stigma shape: Crested. Stigma color: Close to 144A.            Style color: Close to 144A. Ovary color: Close to 144A.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit production has not            been observed on plants of the new Impatiens.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Impatiens    have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common    to Impatiens plants.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Impatiens have been observed    to have good garden performance and tolerate temperatures ranging    from about 5° C. to about 40° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Impatiens plant named‘Dongipetorsta 21’ as illustrated and described.